Pacific MotorYachts Ltd

WATSON 60

Work is completed in the engine room of the new W60 and before the aluminum floor plates are laid we have a good opportunity to view into the bilges with all the pipe work systems in place.

The photo below is taken through the “soft spot”; a removable plate that is located above the engine room in the saloon floor. This is sized to allow the largest piece of machinery to fit through, in this case a main engine and transmission.

It is often asserted that if a diesel engine runs for the first 50 hours then it will be reliable for the next 15, 20 or 25,000 hours. Certainly the modern diesel engine is reliable. So also were the old diesel engines, a vast majority of which are still in use.  

Despite this reliability, thought should always be given to “what if”; there is after all human era to consider.  As an example looking back over engines we have replaced, and the hours they had clocked up starting with the lowest that was 120 hours; a European make that has something of a following. That was the first time I had heard the term “Monday” engine, meaning the crew on the assembly line were still getting over the weekend activities when it was made. Its sister engine must have been a “Tuesday” engine as it did little better than 1200 hours.

Then there was one with a casting fault found in the block. This had run up 700 hours and the fault was found during a warranty inspection by the dealer. To the credit of the manufacturer they replaced the entire engine. And that replacement, due to good access, was completed in two days.

Then we come to the rebuild of a worn out engine. This is common in commercial craft that clock up large hours. Often a soft spot is difficult to accommodate due to the size of the engine and superstructure and deck equipment arrangements. So it is accepted practice to “cut your way in and weld your way back out” of the vessel, usually through the side of the hull. Not something a yacht owner is likely to appreciate.

Not only the prime movers need to be considered but the genset, which is likely to wear out before anything else. Then there are the house batteries; heavy, slippery items that two men struggle with. Equipped with lifting straps these can be hauled directly up to the saloon level and handled off the vessel with relative ease.

Then there are unexpected problems. These manifest themselves in many different and unpredictable ways. So when it comes to working on any piece of machinery, if convenient, it is often more efficient to work on it off the vessel. 

The W60 is available as a single or twin screw vessel. The twin screw arrangement allows for a neat symmetrical installation. The engine room access is by way of the set of steps from the deck above via the forward accommodation passageway.

As the fitter doing some last fit ups on the starboard engine shows we have more than ample head room. Also each machine has access to all sides making routine maintenance a breeze. 

Once the steel plate is bolted down into position the engines and all ancillary equipment are contained within a watertight, gas tight and fire resistant enclosure. Well sepatarted from the accommodation areas.